A little break from the budget coverage: New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, speaking at the Emerging Issues Forum at North Carolina State University, brought up his state’s plans to build a commercial spaceport for space tourism. “We believe this is an industry of the future and we’re gambling on it,” he said, according to the AP. “We are ready to gamble on the future.” However, it looks like space tourism and affiliated industries still have a bit of a giggle factor:
The space port also would be home to a “rocket racing league” similar to NASCAR, Richardson said, drawing laughs from the crowd.
“Sure, you laugh, but it’s the truth,” Richardson responded.
